Michael Cordiello of Local 1181 of the Amalgamated Transit Union said the union had requested a “cooling off” period of up to three months if the city was willing suspend the opening of the special education bid and come to the table.

“While we remain optimistic that we can reach an agreement, we are here today to announce that Local 1181 will strike effective Wednesday morning,” said union president Michael Cordiello. “It is action we must take.”

The city says it’s amazing that it has to spend an average of $6,900 a year per pupil to get students to school. It costs less than half that, $3,124, in Los Angeles, the second largest school district.